Narrative:A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, operated by Gogal Air Service, struck terrain shortly after takeoff from Snow Lake Airport, MB, Canada. The pilot died and the seven passengers were injured. Gogal Air Services was engaged by a local mining company to transport employees between Snow Lake and Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Caravan had accumulated some rime ice on the leading edges of the wings and the horizontal stabilizer from the flight into Snow Lake on the previous day. During the pre-flight inspection, the pilot tapped the leading edges of the wings with a broom handle in an attempt to remove the ice, but did not do this on the horizontal stabilizer of the aircraft. Ice remained on the leading edges of the wings and tail before the flight. No de-icing or anti-icing fluids were applied to the wing or horizontal stabilizer, and no tactile inspection of the upper wing or tail surfaces was observed.The airplane departed at 09:55 and climbed to about 225 feet above ground level. It then pitched down. The aircraft's tail began to shudder and oscillate, the wings rocked, and a more pronounced second downward pitch ensued before the aircraft contacted the trees and crashed. There was no fire.

Probable Cause:

Findings as to causes and contributing factors:

1. The aircraft departed Snow Lake overweight and with an accumulation of ice on the leading edges of its wings and tail from the previous flight. As a result, the aircraft had reduced take-off and climb performance and increased stall speed, and the protection afforded by its stall warning system was impaired.2. A breakdown in the company’s operational control resulted in the flight not operating in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations and the company operations manual.3. As a result, shortly after departure, the aircraft stalled at an altitude from which recovery was not possible.

This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path. Distance from Snow Lake Airport, MB to Winnipeg International Airport, MB as the crow flies is 577 km (361 miles).Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.